When and how best to prune your weigela depends on the condition of the plant and what you want to achieve with the pruning. But it is always important that the weigela blooms on the old wood, that is, on shoots from the previous year.
also read
- When is the weigela bloom?
- Help, my weigela is not blooming!
- How do I prune the "Bristol Ruby" weigela?
As early as autumn, weigelias form the new buds for the next spring. If these are cut off, the weigela will not bloom. Therefore, pruning in autumn is generally not recommended. If you have planted weigelias as a hedge, a compromise is necessary, because hedges are often pruned in autumn. Make sure you leave enough buds for a beautiful bloom next year.
The taper cut
Since the easy-care weigela tends to age, regular pruning is advisable. You don't have to do this taper cut every year, but about every three years. Then cut the oldest branches just above the ground or a new shoot immediately after flowering. But only leave strong young shoots that have formed close to the ground.
The radical cut
If too much time has passed since the last rejuvenation cut and the abundance of flowers in your weigela is already diminishing, then think about a radical cut. You can do this well in spring. Shorten all the shoots to a length of about eight inches. Of course, the weigela does not bloom at all during the cutting year.
The essentials in brief:
- ideal: cut back after flowering
- Autumn pruning often leads to the failure of flowering
- look for new buds when pruning in autumn
- Radical cut of aging in spring
Tips
If your weigela is healthy and has grown well, you shouldn't prune the shrub too much immediately after flowering, as it is likely that it will flower again in autumn.
